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About Me

Hi! My name is Qadoshyah and I'm the oldest of 11 kids. I live on a ranch in the beautiful country of Northeastern Oklahoma with my family. We are a large household with so many kids that we have various projects going on: We raise goats, pigs, sheep, and rabbits (I raise the rabbits - cute little mini lops) on our 44 acre ranch. Our ranch is also home to bullmastiffs, chickens, guinea hens, ducks, llamas, a donkey, a bottle calf, and several ranch dogs and livestock guardian dogs. The youngest two kids are boy/girl twins born in Feb. '05. The boy happens to have Down syndrome. He is such a blessing to our family :)! Our whole family is also gluten-free, which adds another interesting aspect to our large, active family. We also cook dairy-free & corn-free due to allergies a few kids have. Some of the family is also on the GAPS diet to restore gut health.

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The writers of this blog research and attempt to give what they believe is the most accurate and up-to-date information. Nonetheless, the information on this blog is simply opinions and does not in any way constitute professional legal or medical advice. Also, references or links to external, or third party websites, are provided solely for visitors' convenience and are not controlled nor monitered by us. Links taken to other sites are done so at your own risk.

Moreover, this blog and it's writers do not endorse or support religious views that are not consistent with the Bible. The only faith we have found that is faithful to Scripture can be found at www.atruechurch.info.

Echinacea halves risk of catching cold: review

Last Updated: Monday, June 25, 2007 | 4:46 PM ET

Echinacea, a herb widely used to fight the sniffles, helps reduce the risk of getting the common cold and shortens its duration, a new review suggests.

In the July issue of the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, researchers analyzed the results of 14 published trials on echinacea, or purple coneflower. The beneficial effect was seen after combining results from 1,600 participants.

'An analysis of the current evidence in the literature suggests that echinacea has a benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold."— Study's conclusion

Echinacea refers to flowers, roots and stems of nine related plants that are native to North America. Extracts are thought to boost the body's immune system.

Taking the supplements seemed to reduce the risk of developing a cold by 58 per cent and shortened duration of a cold by an average of 1.4 days, the team reported.

"An analysis of the current evidence in the literature suggests that echinacea has a benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold," the review concluded.

In one study, taking echinacea along with vitamin C reduced cold incidence by 86 per cent, compared to 65 per cent for the herb alone.

Previous studies looking at the anti-cold effects of echinacea have shown opposite results. In 2005, a review published in the New England Journal of Medicine on more than 400 people concluded the herb was useless for cold symptoms.

Hundreds of products on the market

The latest review was led by Craig Coleman, a pharmacist at the University of Connecticut.

The plant has three major ingredients, called alkamides, chicoric acid and polysaccharides, but it remains unclear how the herb may stimulate the immune system against cold viruses, Coleman and his colleageus said.

More than 800 products containing echinacea are available, the researchers found. Supplements may contain different parts, or combine echinacea with other herbs that have not been tested.

The study's authors cautioned that clinical trials are needed before doctors can recommend echinacea to prevent or treat the common cold.

Health Canada requires all natural health products be licensed before sale, and to be labelled with an eight-digit product licence number that shows the product has been reviewed and approved by the department for safety and efficacy.

Use of echinacea is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the department said. People with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders are advised to consult a health-care professional before using it.

Some earlier small studies were poorly controlled and sponsored by industry, Wallace Sampson, editor of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine and an emeritus clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University, said in a commentary accompanying the 2005 review.

A spokesperson for the supplements industry said echinacea may be more effective when its three active components are combined in a specific ratio.

The World Health Organization recognized echinacea as a cold treatment in 1999.

Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis

Summary

Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Thus, we did a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold. 14 unique studies were included in the meta-analysis. Incidence of the common cold was reported as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI, and duration of the common cold was reported as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI. Weighted averages and mean differences were calculated by a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird methodology). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q statistic and review of L'Abbé plots, and publication bias was assessed through the Egger weighted regression statistic and visual inspection of funnel plots. Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58% (OR 0·42; 95% CI 0·25–0·71; Q statistic p<0·001) p="0·01).">Echinacin use, concomitant supplement use, method of cold exposure, Jadad scores less than 3, or use of a fixed-effects model. Published evidence supports echinacea's benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

I thought I'd post and see what everybody's favorite or interesting links (of course, pertaining to DS in some way or another) are for either websites, blogs, forums etc. I figured this would be very resourceful! If you have any favorite or informative links, please email me at qf@gotdownsyndrome.net. I'll make a large list of resourceful information.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Well, I just finished changing the layout and fixing up some things on our gotdownsyndrome.net site. I finished about half of it, but I have more to do still. I plan to finish the rest tomorrow, Lord willing. I plan to add new things to it. We'll see how it goes . . . keep checking back.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

I wrote the following in response to an article I read (see below for that) that painted a negative picture of DS and didn't rub me right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Joy of Raising a Child with Down Syndrome!

I read the article “What it Really Takes to Raise a Child with Down Syndrome” and something did not sit well with me about it. It is because I have a sweet little brother with Down syndromeand I have first-hand experience on what it takes to raise a child with Down syndrome. I do not know whether the author of this article does or not, but she did not give a very good picture of an individual with Down syndrome.This article did point out that there are a lot of therapies that are now available for those with Down syndrome, which is good.

There are a few things that I wish to point out:

~“Then they are faced with the decision of whether or not they would be able to care for all of the needs of the baby by themselves. . . . Of course this article is in no way suggesting that you should not raise your own child, but instead it will highlight exactly what would be required on the part of the parent. It is up to the parent in order to decide if they can handle the situation or if they will need help, or if they just can not deal with the situation.”

Thisarticle surely is giving a perspective about Down syndrome that is not completely accurate.God is the one who creates every person, even those who have Down syndrome.Most any parent is capable of raising a child with a handicap. God is the one who has given that family the child with a handicap, whether it is Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, etc.It is extremely unfortunate though, that in our world, about 90% of babies with Down syndrome are murdered (aborted).I wish this weren’t so! But, part of the problem arises when doctors do not give the parents accurate and true information regarding Down syndrome. The information they give paints a sad, often inaccurate, picture.This is part of the problem with this article, as is shown below.

~“First of all you will need to realize that someone will have to be with your baby all of the time. Even as they grow older they will need constant supervision and attention . . . One thing that parents need to keep in mind is that children with Down syndrome do not grow or learn at the same rate as other children their age.”

The above statements are just not true for the entire population with Down syndrome. There are some individuals who need much help, much supervision, and do not grow or learn at the same rate as other children their age. But, there are alsoother individuals who excel, who live on their own, who hold a job, who get married, who do grow and learn at the same rate as other children their age.

My brother does not need constant supervision because of his Down syndrome. He’s similar to any other two-year old.He’s not stupid, he understands a lot, actually. I understand that some situations may not make it capable for someone to give “constant supervision” to their child, if that is needed, but it is not always needed. Besides, with the world we live in today, there are many options available for parents. If someone really loved their child, whether they have DS or not, they would be willing to be there for them whenever their child needed them, given that the circumstance permits.

My brother with Down syndrome does grow at the same rate as his twin sister (who does not have DS). He does learn the same things she does. He is involved in everything the family does and he is not put off to the side to be able to do things that only he can do. If we would have listened to the negative information we received when my brother was diagnosed with DS, we may not have tried as hard to do certain things with him. He may have not learned to walk until over 2 years of age, but instead God blessed him and us and he learned to walk at 17 months (which isn’t too different than children without DS).You cannot listen to false and negative “expectations”, because there are many times when these are not true. There are some things which he is slower in and there are some things which he exceeds in more than she.But, what does that matter? There are children who do not have Down syndrome who are slower in learning and who don’t grow at the same rate as other children their age. My brother does require more work, care, patience, love and diligence, but I praise God for him and am so thankful to have a brother with Down syndrome.

One thing which my brother does exceed in more is his joy, his love and his happiness.He is so happy and content the vast majority of the time. He loves to give kisses to everyone and greet most who arrives at our house. He makes people smile when he looks at them with his big, round eyes, his chubby cheeks, his cute face that is totally part of his big smile and funny faces he makes. How can you resist such a sweet boy? It would be great if more people were as happy and content as he.

My point is that you cannot make a flat out statement with all of these “do not’s.” There are a lot of “do’s.”

~“You will also have to get your child checked by their doctor on a regular basis. Most children who are born with Down syndrome also have other health problems or may develop additional health problems later on.”

This is true, that most children with Down syndrome are either born with health problems or develop them later on. This is, in part, why children with Down syndrome (as do other children) need a loving parent and family who are willing to do all they can for their child. My brother’s health problems have been minimal, all by God’s grace. But, thankfully, in this day-and-age, there is much which can be done for individuals with Down syndrome. Cardiologists for heart problems, ENT’s for ear, nose and throat problems, speech therapists for building the oral muscles and helping them speak, physical and occupational therapists to help with building their muscles and making them excel in both gross and fine motor skills, TNI to help their immune system and much, much more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What it Really Takes to Raise a Child with Down Syndrome

It is very sad to get the news that your child will have to live out their lives as a handicapped child. When parents first find out this information they are often very upset and sometimes blame themselves.

Then they are faced with the decision of whether or not they would be able to care for all of the needs of the baby by themselves. The first thing that a parent who finds themselves in this situation needs to do is find out exactly what will be required in order to raise a child with down syndrome. Of course this article is in no way suggesting that you should not raise your own child, but instead it will highlight exactly what would be required on the part of the parent. It is up to the parent in order to decide if they can handle the situation or if they will need help, or if they just can not deal with the situation.

First of all you will need to realize that someone will have to be with your baby all of the time. Even as they grow older they will need constant supervision and attention. This can sometimes be a lot for one parent to deal with all by themselves. In some cases doctors may be able to tell that your child has Down syndrome before they are even born. This would give both parents the opportunity to take classes and join the necessary support groups. If however you do not find out until after you baby is born you should not feel that you can not take any classes. Your doctor should give you plenty of resources on where you can get additional information on how to raise a child with Down syndrome. One thing that parents need to keep in mind is that children with Down syndrome do not grow or learn at the same rate as other children their age. You will also have to get your child checked by their doctor on a regular basis. Most children who are born with Down syndrome also have other health problems or may develop additional health problems later on.

The best thing to do for any baby born with Down syndrome is to get them plenty of therapy while they are still and infant. This will give them the best head start possible. Caring for a child with Down syndrome will also be a lot of hard work for all who are involved in this child's life. One thing that you will need plenty of is love and support from family and friends, who will be there to give you a break when needed, and assist you when needed. The bottom line is that it will take a lot of hard work, but both the parents and the child can learn to live and cope with this disability. The key is for everyone to work together and learn all that they can together.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

On one of the DS listservs I am on, someone posted the information below about a new law in Missouri which requires all doctors to give correct and necessary information to women who are given a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Praise God for this law!

May the ACOG NOT win and may this law be upheld!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As you will see in the article below, we now have in my state of Missouri a new law requiring physicians to give important information to women when they are given a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. This was accomplished by Senator John Loudon. He has taken a lot of flack over it and the way it came about.

I thought you all would also find this new law encouraging as it will hopefully stem the tide of abortions of babies with DS.

Unfortunately, the ACOG is intending to sue, at least over the midwifery part - I'm not clear on whether they still want to strip out the part dealing with Down Syndrome - they did during the legislative process.

-Anne, mom to Lydia, DS, age 7 and her three big sisters

Loudon's letter in Sunday St Louis Post-Dispatch

Priority: Safe births

I supported tort reform and sponsored medical malpractice insurance reformso obstetricians would not leave Missouri because of high insurance costs.This and my desire to see babies born safely prompted my insertion of themidwifery and Down syndrome language into House Bill 818, recently signedby the governor.

My wife and I prefer hospital births, but find it shocking that Missouri isthe only state where midwifery is a felony. Majorities in the House andSenate supported my bill ensuring licensure restrictions on midwifery. Whenone senator filibustered, thwarting the voice of the Legislature, weemployed the constitutional measure allowed for this purpose.

More than 90 percent of fetuses identified with Down syndrome are aborted.But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wants allfetuses tested for Down syndrome.

Lobbyists obstructed my efforts to change these provisions. Lobbyists knowit is easy to kill a bill â?" you only need to buy one senator's filibuster.This is an abuse of the process. When trying to face that filibuster, thereare choices. You can compromise. We did. You can negotiate. We did. In theend, when the other side doesn't budge, constitutionally there is oneoption, which we exercised.

I used HB 818 to counter the mandate to test fetuses for Down syndrome andto defelonize midwifery. ACOG attacked the midwifery language but not theDown syndrome language but tried to strip both from the bill.

Missouri women, not the state, now decide where to deliver their babies.Mothers carrying babies with Down syndrome will have full information (highfalse-positive rates, available resources, adoption options) before makingcritical choices. My hope was that defelonizing midwifery would bring ACOGlobbyists to the table to create a law that works for both sides. Iextended the invitation again, but they intend to sue.

This is personal to me. Our baby, Robert, hospital-birthed by anobstetrician, would not be here but for the pre-natal suggestion of amidwifery advocate regarding an undiagnosed clotting disorder that causedthree prior miscarriages. We also adopted a precious little boy with Downsyndrome, Samuel, and we are passionate about his right to be alive. Ithink all Missourians should have the access I had. ACOG's threatened suitwould block that.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

We just recently got the book "Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook." It is written by a team of pharmacists, PhDs, etc. All the information in this book is backed up by abstracts and studies which are shown in the book. It's a compact book packed full of information in it's about 600 pages. It will be a VERY resourceful book to have on hand. I'm excited to see all the information it has in it. It has more than just drugs and the nutrients they deplete. It has an Alphabetical listing of drugs (everything from anti-inflammatories, steroids, antibiotics, anti-convulsants, etc - it's all there!), an Alphabetical listing of nutrients and the drugs that deplete them, an Alphabetical listing of Nutrient Monographs, and Studies and Abstracts. In the Appendix it has a Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Table, Herb/Nutrient Depletions, Nutrient Depletion and Cancer Chemotherapy, and Food-Drug Interactions.

It is a hard to find book, but we were able to find on on Ebay for pretty cheap.

Dear Editor,I read the article, “A Mother’s Choice To Abort”, published on the front page of this newspaper on 5/20/07. I was very disturbed after reading it. It was portrayed in that article that it is a big bad thing and so hard to raise a child with Down syndrome. I want to point out a few things. First, it is NOT a bad thing at all! Secondly, it is and can be hard to raise a child with special needs, such as Down syndrome. But, abortion should not be and is not the answer. The answer is to be self-less. The main reason why some claim they cannot raise a child with Down syndrome is because they don’t have the money or time. So, they choose to end a human life. How selfish of that person! Rita says it was “selflessly motivated”, that isn’t true in any way. She was anything but “selflessly motivated.”I want everyone to know that it isn’t that bad to raise a child with special needs. A baby who is diagnosed with Down syndrome is still a human being and should be given the chance to live! They should never be aborted (killed). If someone “cannot” raise a child with special needs, because they are so selfish, there is always the option of adoption. Children with Down syndrome bring so much joy and love to a family. Even though these little blessings come with a bit more work, they are all the while worth it!